Obama Dispatching 3,600 Organizing Fellows

Moving to harness the grass-roots energy that helped win the Democratic nomination, Sen. Barack Obama's campaign will deploy 3,600 volunteers in 17 states this weekend, each committed to six consecutive weeks of full-time political work.

The project, launched two months before the senator from Illinois became the presumptive nominee, is a measure of his determination to out-organize Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in states that could swing a close election.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[captnEarl]

I've had two different expensive yard signs stolen this past week. I will get replacements and make a home-made one also that says "you toucha my signs you ass will be sorry"

[Countdown09]

I don't know a single Obama supporter (in my circle) who hasn't participated in some way. Rather it's donating money or making phones calls every supporter I know has gotten involved in some way. Sen. Obama's campaign I suspect will go down in history as the most successful and inspiring ever! We are seeing leadership at it's best.

[Charmed]

I just love the way he gets things done......those volunteers are going to learn a lot this summer that will stick with them the rest of their life....priceless.

[DRaymond]

You may be reading too much into that list of 17 states. The purpose of volunteer organizers isn't to get votes but to organize even more volunteers. And Obama isn't at all shy about having volunteers cross state lines. California volunteers were regularly e-mailed during the primaries and recruited to participate in phone banks to prinaries anywhere in the country and even to carpool to neighboring states for their elections. So Washington may be on the list of states to send the organizers to but that could be because they think that it is a fertile ground to get volunteers who would then be phoning or bussing to the real battleground states.

As for Minnesota not being a battleground state you might want to research the last time Minnesote didn't vote for the Democratic side.

[JackND]

Yeah...I wonder about Washington being on the list but not Minnesota. He's leading by double digit margins in Washington, just like in Iowa and Minnesota. Really , his Oregon margin is right around the double digit threshhold too.

Frankly, he should be making a play for North Dakota and Montana, where he's within single digits in both, though the low population density may make that not worth the trouble. They're in play if he sits at the table, if not, then probably not.

I'm a little surprised that he chose Georgia over South Carolina...the latter is a smaller prize, but probably a more likely one, since he's within single digits by some measures there. South Carolina is a more likely pickup at this point than Florida.

Frankly, I'd also swap out New Hampshire and instead make a play for West Virginia, another state that he comes within single digits in by some measures. Either he'll win New Hampshire or he won't...I wouldn't placate them. But that could just be because I despise the Iowa/New Hampshire "first" entitlement.

Of course, the triad of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio are wise moves. He really should play for Indiana too though, where his deficit is only single digits.

In summary, I'd make a play in states where he trails by single digits over making a play in states where he already enjoyed double digit leads. And there are many...Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, Indiana, and even West Virginia.

[Cheryllou]

I live in NY and I so want to help, but I'm seven months pregnant and the doctor told me to stay off my feet. I'll be having my baby at the end of August, maybe I can begin to help at the middle of September.

[BEHM777]

Follow your doctor's orders, ma'am. We will be glad to have you and whatever help you can provide in September. I hope your baby will be safe and healthy. Congratulations!

[bongogirl]

I do not know if Tennessee is one of the chosen states. Regardless, many people here will be stumping for OBAMA and getting voter registration up and running. OBAMA is going to be the next president of the USA!!

[Deparis]

If you are interested in canvassing in TN, I can assure you then that it is among the 17. Now, go sign up girl and together let's make history.

[mom2sons]

Big applause for those who are willing to work hard. I volunteered to register voters two weeks ago and a woman who I was with told me her son is one of these volunteers. She was so proud of him. Go Team Obama. I will probably host a meeting on June 28 at my house. Go to Obama's website and host one yourself.

[Deparis]

Great job, thank you. Yes we can!

[NotFooledByDistractions]

Now this is how a leader acts. We've be drilled with failures in leadership so much over the past 8 years - it's truly refreshing to see effective leadership in action. You go Obama - make us all proud!!

[politicalgenius]

if you notice, it's a strategy that he used during the primary season. Force your opponent to spend $$$ where she (now he) didn't think they need to or even wanted to. Liken the strategy to the rope-a-dope, only in politics you force your opponent to SPEND their way to a loss. It's brilliant (if it works). But the strategy is a testament to not only the efficiency of Obama but also to his leadership - people are willing to work with and for this man because they believe in him, his message and in themselves. The GOP is now afraid because now their political counterparts have an organization that is efficient and inspires the American people, rather than attempting to be efficient by enslaving people to their fears.

[XME]

So true, and I believe that with so many new voters involved this year, it will be one of the least effective years in history for the GOP to try and play on people's fears. These people recognize that this is nothing but attempts to manipulate them and scare the cr@p out of them...they resent that, and attempts it will likely result in helping to solidify the support for Obama and in basically rallying them to work all that much harder to help put Obama over the top!

[WFV]

Efficient. Logistical. Forward thinking. Progressive.

He is going to be a great president.

[PATina]

The more I learn about this man... the more I like him. After decades of such horrible politicians... it's so refreshing to see a great politician in action.

[BLinCincinnati]

"More than 10,000 people applied, said Obama strategist Jon Carson."

10,000 people... willing to give up 6 weeks for this campaign. Closing in on 2 million people willing to donate money. Last I saw, over a million people helping to register new voters. And it's only June....

I seriously will not be surprised to see a 400 EV blow out.

[212RLamas]

right?
look out mcSame...
we're coming after you!!!

[arkgrfx61]

You can't even call this brilliant because it just makes so much damn sense!
How wonderful to see a leader who expects people to take responsibility, and show that if they want something bad enough, they will work hard to get it and not just expect it to happen.
This is why I can honestly say I love this man - he obviously loves us.

[BEHM777]

BY the people...OF the people...FOR the people...I read that somewhere...:-D